NHL Owner in Exclusive Talks to Buy AFC Bournemouth

AFC Bournemouth is nearing a deal that would see the newly promoted English soccer club share the same owner as the NHL’s Vegas Golden Knights.

Earlier this month, Maxim Demin — Bournemouth’s current owner — hired Montminy & Co. to facilitate a sale of the team. Less than a week later, the team is reportedly in exclusive takeover discussions with a group led by Golden Knights owner Bill Foley.

Montminy, a California-based investment bank and financial advisory firm, was reportedly appointed with the intention to attract American investors. If Foley acquires ownership, half of the Premier League’s 20 teams would be under American ownership.

Demin, who is asking for around $172 million, has reportedly been interested in selling the club for nearly four years but reignited his efforts when the club returned to the Premier League earlier this year.

• Several groups have shown interest in the club, but no discussions have progressed as far as Foley’s.
• Demin purchased a 50% stake in the team in 2011 in a deal valued at $975,000.

The club is expected to generate $172 million in 2023 revenue.

Foley’s Finances

Foley gave Las Vegas its first major professional sports team in 2017 with the Golden Knights, paying the league’s $500 million expansion fee. The team was last valued at $710 million.

In June, Foley signed a letter of intent to invest in John Textor’s Eagle Football Holdings through Cannae Holdings, pledging to provide a credit facility of up to $523 million related to a takeover of Ligue 1 team Olympique Lyonnais.